THE ASSOCIATED BOARD OF THE ROYAL SCHOOLS OF MUSIC
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity generated a net income of £4,859,000 for the year ended 31 January 2025, with unrestricted funds standing at £25,499,000. Per the trustees' report, general funds of £18,400,000 exceed the stated reserves policy target of £14,700,000, indicating a strong liquidity position. The charity confirmed it has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for at least twelve months with no material uncertainties identified.
What the accounts disclose
“ABRSM made contributions of £1,000,000 (2024: £500,000) to each of four Royal Schoois of Music or their charitable trusts. Two representatives from each of these organisations sit on the Governing Body.” — page 56
“During the year Professor Colin Lawson was due £15 (2024: £0) in royalties by ABRSM (Publishing) Limited on normal commercial terms.” — page 57
“ABRSM made contributions of £1,000,000 (2024: £500,000) to each of four Royal Schoois of Music or their charitable trusts. Two representatives from each of these organisations sit on the Governing Body.” — page 56
“During the year Professor Colin Lawson was due £15 (2024: £0) in royalties by ABRSM (Publishing) Limited on normal commercial terms.” — page 57
“The charity has a wholly owned subsidiary company, The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (Publishing) Limited (ABRSM Publishing), the results of which are consolidated in these financial statements.” — page 5
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/01/2025)
Trustees
- Antony John HALESchair
- Abdul Bhanji
- Damian Mark Alan Wisniewski
- Deborah Harry
- Gavin Reid
- Georgina Robb
- James Williams
- Jamie Njoku-Goodwin
- KEVIN PORTER
- Karen Di Lorenzo
- PROF Jeffrey Neil Sharkey
- PROF LINDA MERRICK
- PROFESSOR JONATHAN FREEMAN-ATTWOOD
- Roberta Doyle
- Sarah Jane Carter
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/01/2025 | £50.9m | £46.2m |
| 31/01/2024 | £48.9m | £41.9m |
| 31/01/2023 | £45.5m | £38.2m |
| 31/01/2022 | £42.5m | £35.2m |
| 31/01/2021 | £23.4m | £31.4m |
Common questions
Is THE ASSOCIATED BOARD OF THE ROYAL SCHOOLS OF MUSIC financially healthy?
The accounts state that the charity generated a net income of £4,859,000 for the year ended 31 January 2025, with unrestricted funds standing at £25,499,000. Per the trustees' report, general funds of £18,400,000 exceed the stated reserves policy target of £14,700,000, indicating a strong liquidity position. The charity confirmed it has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for at least twelve months with no material uncertainties identified. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Crowe UK LLP.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER FOUNDATION | 1 | £1.4m |
| THE CHARLES WOLFSON CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £200k |
| JOHN ELLERMAN FOUNDATION | 1 | £75k |
| THE ALBERT AND EUGENIE FROST MUSIC TRUST CIO | 1 | £30k |
| THE BOLTINI TRUST | 1 | £20k |
| SCOULOUDI FOUNDATION | 1 | £15k |
| NORTHERN CONSORTIUM | 1 | £10k |
| DR RADCLIFFE'S TRUST | 1 | £5k |